Page 30 of Wolf It Down, Knot Me Up

Maybe I’ve earned everything coming my way, seeing as I’ve completely lost control of myself.

8

LUCY

Iwake up with my face on the mattress.

I lie there with my eyes shut, which is when I remember the kiss.

Roman’s mouth on mine unapologetically, all that heat coming off him, not to mention the way his hand pushed down into my pants. And my whole world narrowed to the orgasm tearing out of me.

I press my face farther into the pillow and grin into it like a fool. Then I roll onto my back, wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, and push myself to sit up. That’s when I spot the quilt on the floor. I’m still in my hoodie and jeans and know that last night, after coming into my room, I crashed onto the bed on a huge high, then passed out. Now, that’s a sign of a damn good orgasm when it knocks you out blind.

So maybe that’s the worst of my cravings out of my system. Perhaps the bond is a pot boiling over, and once it has done that, there’s nothing to worry about for a while.

Except I need an actual plan because I’m attracted to him. I still long for him today, which is significantly worse. Especially seeing as he’s the world’s best kisser.

So, change of plan: spend time with him, have a conversation in daylight, with clothes on, at a distance. And find out who he really is and how he ended up in prison.

Then I glance over at the clock.

10:13.

“Oh, shit.” Since when do I sleep in?

I race into the shower and finish in record time. Once I’ve combed my hair out, I pull on leggings and a pale pink sweater with a white cat wearing a tiara on the front. I then step into my glittery black sneakers.

The main room is empty, and so is the kitchen, though a clean towel hangs folded over the oven rail and the coffeepot has been used and washed, which means Ethan has come and gone.

I dig the muesli out of the pantry, hunt for a bowl, and enjoy it at the island, staring out the window at the side of the property.

That’s when the deer come out of the trees, and I stop chewing.

Three of them, picking their way down the bank at the edge of the driveway with those stiff, careful steps, ears turning like satellite dishes.

Out from behind the last doe, on wobbly legs, emerges a fawn.

I set the bowl down without a sound, and I’m out the front door in seconds, excited to see them properly.

The morning is cold as I ease the door shut behind me and stand under the eave while four deer cross the driveway one at a time. The fawn stops dead center in the gravel to consider a problem only it can see. Its mother waits.

“Oh my,” I whisper into my palms. They are so adorable.

They’re through the ferns on the far side and gone, and I’m standing there beaming at the sight.

Then I spot a black car in the parking area with no one inside. It’s parked nose out beside Grandma’s truck. I don’t recognize it. Ethan mentioned guests coming in this week, so maybe that’s them.

That’s when I hear male voices, and they’re coming from the direction of the cabins.

Ethan emerges first, talking nonstop. Beside him walks a man in tailored black pants, a button-up shirt, a tie, and a jacket. He’s holding a briefcase and stepping over every wet patch in the track.

Ethan spots me and smiles before he says something to the man beside him. Now, both of them head toward the lodge to join me.

“Hey there.” Ethan’s voice booms, and it’s clear he’s nervous. “Lucy, this is Mr. Colby. Mr. Colby, Lucy Rose, Eve’s granddaughter. She just arrived and now runs the lodge with me while Eve’s healing.”

The man pulls a folded handkerchief out of his jacket pocket and wipes his right palm twice. Once done, he refolds the handkerchief, tucks it back into his pocket, and then offers me his hand.

“Ms. Rose, it’s my pleasure.”